Renouf calls for end to Broncos feud

Brisbane great Steve Renouf has asked Gorden Tallis and coach Wayne Bennett to end their feud after it erupted again over Adam Blair’s appointment as Broncos captain.

But Renouf has taken his own shot at Bennett, describing the Blair captaincy call as a “kick in the guts” to the likes of Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough.

In the absence of a number of Origin stars, Blair has been named captain for Friday night’s NRL game against the Wests Tigers.

Tallis believes his selection is an attempt by Bennett to get under his skin.

Bennett and Tallis have spectacularly fallen out since the former Broncos captain’s retirement in 2004.

Their feud has flared again over Blair, who Tallis described as “one of the dirtiest players” for his trans-Tasman Test chicken wing tackle.

Renouf denied Tallis’ claim that Blair’s appointment would be a ploy to rile the former NRL hard man.

“I don’t know about that, Gordie,” Renouf told Fox Sports.

“These two have had an ongoing feud since Gordie left the club – they probably need to kiss and make up.”

But Renouf didn’t agree with Blair being named captain.

“I was probably a bit taken aback by that decision myself to be honest,” said Renouf, a veteran of 183 games for Brisbane.

“I thought it would be better handled going to Andrew McCullough or Ben Hunt.

“Guys like that have been there a while, since the under 20s, Blair has been there two seasons or whatever.

“So for him to be given the captaincy is a bit of a kick in the guts to the other guys.”

Renouf believed the feud began when Bennett benched Tallis in his final game, a 2004 NRL finals loss to North Queensland.

“That’s where it started,” he said.

Tallis said Blair’s tactics were at odds with Bennett’s fair game philosophies during his time at the club, and was surprised the experienced coach had allowed it.

“I voted against giving him the job at the Cowboys when I was on the board there,” Tallis told News Corp Australia on Friday.

“This Blair appointment is another way for him to have a crack at me.”

Tallis saved his biggest crack over Bennett’s complaints about golden point in finals and the scheduling through the Origin period.

“Nothing is ever good enough for him,” Tallis said.

“Why can’t he just let the game shine?”

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